P12.

3
Student practical
Name ...................................................................... Class .................. Date ......................

Investigating reflection and refraction

Specification references
 P6.1.3 Reflection of waves
 P6.2.2 Properties of electromagnetic waves 1
 WS 1.2, 2.2, 2.4

Aims
In this experiment, you will explore the behaviour of water waves as they are
reflected and refracted, and compare this behaviour to the behaviour of light.

Learning outcomes
After completing this practical, you should be able to:
 describe how water waves behave when they are reflected
 describe the behaviour of water waves when they are refracted by a change
in depth
 design a practical procedure to test a law.

Safety
 clear up any water spill immediately
 if using a lamp, keep the lamp as far away from the water as possible – do not
touch the lamp or electrical supply with wet hands.

Equipment
 tray of water
 ruler
 blocks of plastic or other dense materials
 desktop lamp (optional) to make the wave crests easier to see.

Task 1: Investigating the reflection of water waves

Method

© Oxford University Press 2017 www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements

This resource sheet may have been changed from the original. 1
 P12.3
Student practical
Name ...................................................................... Class .................. Date ......................

1 Fill the tray with water to a depth of about 2 cm.

2 Place a plastic or metal barrier in the tray as shown in the diagram.
3 Move the edge of the ruler up and down regularly at one end of the tray to
produce a series of waves that move towards the barrier.
4 Observe how the waves behave when they reach the barrier. Observe their
direction, their wavelength and their speed.
5 Adjust the angle of the barrier and again observe the change in behaviour of
the waves.

Questions
1 Describe the behaviour of the waves as they reach the barrier, and any
changes in their properties.

(4 marks)

Task 2: Investigating the refraction of water waves

Method
1 Using the same tray and water used in task 1.
2 Place a block in the water, as shown in the diagram below, ensuring the water
reaches over the top of the block.
3 Again use the ruler to produce a regular series of waves, which move towards
the submerged block.
4 Observe how the waves behave when they reach the block. Observe their
direction and their wavelength.
5 Now rotate the block so that the front edge is not perpendicular to the waves.
6 Again observe the behaviour of the waves as they pass over the block.

© Oxford University Press 2017 www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements

This resource sheet may have been changed from the original. 2
 P12.3
Student practical
Name ...................................................................... Class .................. Date ......................

Questions
The frequency of the wave stays the same as it passes over the block in the water. Remember the wave
equation:
wave speed = frequency × wavelength
when discussing changes to the wave properties in the questions below.
1 Describe the behaviour, and any changes in the properties, of the waves
as they reach the submerged block when the wave direction is
perpendicular to the front of the block (as in the diagram above).

(3 marks)

2 Describe the behaviour, and any changes in the properties, of the waves as
they reach the block when the wave direction is not perpendicular to the front
of the block.

(3 marks)

Student follow-up
The law of reflection for light rays is shown in the box below.

For reflection of light:

the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence

1 Compare your observed behaviour of water waves in task 1 of this practical with the behaviour of
light rays reflecting off a mirror.

(1 mark)

© Oxford University Press 2017 www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements

This resource sheet may have been changed from the original. 3
 P12.3
Student practical
Name ...................................................................... Class .................. Date ......................

2 Design and describe an experiment that will confirm whether the law applies to
water waves reaching a barrier as in task 1 of this practical. You should
include an equipment list, the method and a table for results.

(6 marks)

© Oxford University Press 2017 www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements

This resource sheet may have been changed from the original. 4